McDonald joins AFL's St Kilda, Murphy for Brisbane

Emerging Mayo GAA star Kobe McDonald has signed with AFL club St Kilda as a Category B rookie while Kerry's Ben Murphy has joined the Brisbane Lions.

McDonald, son of Mayo great Ciarán, joins the Melbourne-based club amid interest from a number of teams.

"We're thrilled to welcome Kobe and the McDonald family to St Kilda," CEO Carl Dilena told the club’s website.

"Kobe’s natural abilities have been evident for some time, and his experience playing Gaelic football will provide a great foundation for his transition to AFL.

"We’ve seen the impact Irish players can make in our game, and we’re looking forward to supporting Kobe as he begins his journey with the club."

McDonald, who excelled as Crossmolina reached the Mayo semi-final this season, is expected to complete his Leaving Cert before heading to Australia. He first came to prominence by firing Mayo to the 2023 All-Ireland MFC semi-final where they lost out to Armagh.

Mayo has had its fair share of AFL recruits with Pearce Hanley and Oisín Mullen, the latter currently with Geelong, making the move.

Murphy, meanwhile, has also signed as a Category B rookie with the 18-year-old Kerry player first being identified by the club as a possible recruit two years ago.

"I am really excited to get the chance to join the Brisbane Lions and play AFL," Murphy told the club website.

"I think anyone joining a team in the position the Lions are in, as back-to-back premiers, would be delighted and I am no different."

Murphy joins Tyrone's Conor McKenna, who recently signed a one-year extension, and Kilkenny's Darragh Joyce on the Lions' men's roster.

The 2023 and '24 Kingdom minor and Austin Stack's clubman impressed in a trial in August.

Like Mayo, Kerry have lost a number of players to the AFL including Mark O'Connor, Cillian Burke and Rob Monahan.

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